First of all, Dougherty road is now over-capacity for traffic flowing in either direction; this will just add to the delay and congestion now experienced in using this singular, two-lane route from all points in south Aiken along Whiskey Road to the entire southwest section of Aiken. Because there is no mention of a planned new entrance to Aiken Mall to coincide with the Neilson Road route, this will just further complicate the flow of traffic on this critical corridor.

As I see it, this kind of taxpayer expenditure will make no sense until such a direct route to Aiken Mall is available; nor will it make sense until Dougherty road is widened to a minimum of 6 lanes to accommodate all the traffic now using itand which will be generated by this additional loading.

Additionally, Whiskey Road needs to have those treacherous ditches replaced by normal storm drainage to permit further widening and safer entrances to the varous business entities and homes along that road.

By putting those priorities ahead of this scenic route, which must be lining someone's pockets for land condemnation, much of the current overloads can be accommodated; then the future scenic route may be advantageous.

Sincerely,

Irwin E. Magerkurth